Two ways to help Japan

There are two ways to help the people of Japan in their terrifying ordeal. One is to offer material assistance such as money or services.

The other kind of help is less visible, but perhaps equally important -- to maintain a calm, compassionate spirit in this situation anchored in the unconquerable spirit of our own being.

My friend Mary Jaksch has written a great post on this theme. But healing and transformation in Japan -- and in all the rest of the world --surely depends on this calm center that is the true potential of each one of us.

How can we find a place of calm within ourselves?

How do we do this? How do we find a place of calm within ourselves that feels the sadness, terror, and fear of this world -- feels it deeply -- and yet is not overwhelmed by what it feels?

Does such a place of calm even exist?

A huge evolutionary shift is at work

It obviously does exist. The people of Japan give living proof that it exists.

I believe a huge evolutionary shift is at work in our world in these days that will assist us, even in the presence of unimaginable tragedy, to know and express the timeless peace at the core of being.

It is who we truly are, and it is just waiting to be uncovered more fully in our own experience.

It is your true wealth -- the source of all true happiness -- and it is present as I say even in the midst of unimaginable pain and suffering.

Two steps to a place of calm

Two steps seem to be required if we are to know healing and wholeness and come to a place of true calm in ourselves.

1. Change our mind

We have to be willing to change our mind about what is important and what is not important. We have to be willing to see, for example, that ultimately true wealth does not exist in our environment but in ourselves.

2. Be still

And we have to be willing to be still. You don't hear much about stillness in this world. Perhaps it's because we are frightened of it.

But I find, as I open my heart to stillness, that the answer to fear and dismay is always present with me. It does not come from some far-off place. It comes from the light of my own presence, the light of my own being.

As one of my favorite sages, Ramana Mahashi once said, "Be still. What could be easier than that?"

Please share your thoughts.

Love and blessings to you. If you enjoyed this article, please show your support by tweeting it and "liking" it on Facebook.

Also, if you aren't a subscriber, why not join the Happy Seeker community and receive my free e-book, the Wisdom of Serenity, written especially for these troubled, dangerous times?

I agree with you; we’re on the edge of a potentially world-changing shift in people’s perspective. Although the news media doesn’t show that direction, our bank accounts are painful to look at, and people seem more desperate than ever before, I’m seeing more and more cases of individuals searching for a “bigger picture”.

I also agree with your two steps towards finding that peace. Being willing to challenge what we hold as important and precious, and then finding the Stillness to commune with our Creator and share in that love is vital to bringing calm to our weathered souls.

Hallelujah Phil. I love your expression, ‘our weathered souls.’ They are a bit weathered aren’t they? But we are more resilient than we think and I believe you are right that in our sometimes tortoise like way we are moving toward a “bigger picture” — and it is a very beautiful picture. A masterpiece. Blessings.

It is hard not to look at all the events that have been happening in the world and to realize that something deeper and greater is taking place. As you say, a huge evolutionary shift is at work.

I agree with you fully about the 2 steps to a place of calm. Unless we change our mind and the way we view events, it will be hard to have inner peace. Everything depends on how we perceive things. And only when we realize that we already have all that is important will we have calm.

The tragedy in Japan reminds us that what truly matters is our loved ones and helping each other to survive in a time of crisis. Whatever differences we may have has to be put aside and it is only through unity that the human race can survive any ordeal.

I cherish these words Irving as always. I applaud them. You hit the nail on the head. What we are going to realize somewhere along the way is that we are indeed one family. It’s a hard thing to say. But is it possible some good could come out of such a terrible calamity?

Chris, thank you for your timely and sensitive post. Last week, I flew back from the United States to my home in Italy, connecting through Munich. At Newark Airport, I saw a lovely woman helping her son with his English homework. The kid was so awesomely funny with his answers, I cracked up while trying to read my Kindle. The mom asked me if I spoke German, I said yes, and we changed seats – it seemed that the son was really happy to be able to sit on his own on the plane back to Munich, while his mom and I got to know each other. We had the best flight back, talking about a million deep, interesting things.

It was during those deep, special moments with a stranger who was not so strange to me on the plane that the world was falling apart for Japan.

Your post brought this up in me – I have been terribly uncomfortable all week, sort of bouncing around between sadness and trying to hold myself together while getting over jetlag and starting the task of reopening my B&B for the season. But your post made me realize something. I was uncomfortable because I was enjoying myself as that calamity happened.

But that’s life, isn’t it? Life will teach you to take what you are given in the moment and move forward with it. I think of what happened in Japan and I think of the woman I met and the beginning of what might be a nice friendship. I am going to contact her. Thank you for helping me with coming to that point of clarity.

So beautiful Diana.”Life will teach you to take what you are given in the moment and move forward with it.” I’ve sure found this to be true. Yes, please do contact the woman you met on the plane. What a gift you have for making friends … true friends…part of our task here isn’t it?

Christopher, you inspired me to write a blog post about what I wrote above, and linked back to you. Please go take a look when you can. Your wisdom really helped me.Diana recently posted..AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Diana, What you wrote is very moving. It’s a privilege and a joy to share your brave, generous spirit. I’m so glad I’ve connected with you and we’re tracking in the same direction in life. Every good wish.

I just found your blog, and I’m loving it. This is a beautiful post. I’ve been struggling because the situation in Japan seems so overwhelming, but you’re right. Being still and focusing on what is truly important will help me to be calm and loving, which hopefully will radiate to others around me, and eventually around the world. And those two things are entirely within my control.
Thanks for a great post!

I deeply appreciate how you always go to the heart of the matter. Honestly, I don’t know if there is a huge evolutionary shift occurring in the world today. But if we follow these two steps you offer, changing our mind about what’s important and being in stillness, an evolutionary shift will occur within our own being. That’s the first step to changing the world. Thanks your for your wisdom-words.Sandra / Always Well Within recently posted..Need Peace- Love- and Connection

I’m with you Tess. At the end of the day the only person we can really do something about is ourselves. Just as you say, we can let an evolutionary shift occur in our own being. And then who knows what may result? Thankyou so much for this wise input.

subscribe

I'm happy to announce that my new book is available now at Amazon in print and Kindle versions. Best-selling author Sharon Salzberg says the book is "full of generous insight and truth-telling". Please copy and paste or click the following link to find out more: http://www.amzn.com/097117962X

about

Hi. My name is Christopher. I've loved wisdom all my life and I've followed it with a passion since I was a kid. Wisdom is our best friend regardless of our age, culture, nationality, or anything else. I'm 81 years old and I'd love to share what I have learned with you.Read More»

"Christopher has such a beautiful and deep wisdom, one that was learned through firsthand experience and rich, deep living. He actually opens his heart wide and honestly shares with his readers and online friends. He is a treasure." -- Robin Easton, author, "Naked in Eden."